CADCA offers a variety of training opportunities, from conference-style training events to its signature National Coalition Academy to statewide and coalition-level trainings to online courses and webinars. CADCA has a training experience to fit every position and experience level of your coalition. Read a short description of our most popular training opportunities below.

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is a 4-day conference packed with multiple adult and youth-oriented opportunities to learn the latest strategies to fight substance abuse and hear from nationally-known experts and policymakers with a full day dedicated to Capitol Hill events. The Forum is held in the Washington, DC area every year, normally the first week of February and brings together more than 2,700 participants representing community anti-drug coalitions, government leaders, youth, addiction treatment professionals, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals, youth and faith-based leaders.

Held for 4 days during the summer, the Mid-Year Training Institute offers in-depth, interactive training sessions geared specifically for community coalition leaders and staff. The Mid-Year also includes two levels of training for the National Youth Leadership Initiative activities (Key Essentials and Advanced). From fundamentals of coalition building and strategic planning to evaluation and research, you will come away motivated and inspired. The MYTI is held in a different city each year in either late July or early August.

The National Coalition Academy is a year-long training experience that incorporates three week-long classroom sessions, a Web-based distance learning component and an online workstation where participants network and share planning products. There are multiple NCA cohorts with varying schedules and locations across the country

The National Youth Leadership Initiative incorporates team teaching by youth and adult trainers, experiential and applied learning in both the classroom and community context. Participants learn about the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), logic models, strategic planning, developing interventions, advocating for change, evaluation, and sustainability. NYLI is offered at every Forum and MYTI, and also can be customized for state or coalition-level trainings.

Customized Trainings

CADCA provides a variety of customized training and technical assistance opportunities including trainings (half to multiple days), keynote addresses, conference workshops, and on-site technical assistance encounters. We will work with you to design your perfect training event.

CADCA understands that coalitions have limited budgets for training events. In an effort to help hold training costs down, the Institute provides several Web-based learning options to help coalition leaders and members build knowledge and skills.

CADCA offers free technical assistance to help increase the effectiveness of community anti-drug coalitions across America. Technical Assistance services are free and unlimited by phone, email, and web. CADCA offers on-site TA at many of its trainings and events.